Adam Christl

Andrea Grossová

Addressing the widespread abusive treatment of prisoners of war and renewing efforts to ensure their humane treatment and well-being

The protection of prisoners of war has been enshrined within the Geneva conventions for decades as a key legal measure to allow at least a bit of humanity to prevail within brutal military conflicts. Yet, in the present days, it seems that the Geneva conventions are non-existent. In latest conflicts, the treatment of prisoners of war has been appalling and all sides are guilty to some degree. It is, therefore, necessary for the Member States of the United Nations Human Rights Council to convene upon this topic and ensure, that prisoners of war are treated humanely and in accordance with their legal rights. Furthermore, the Member States should, during this meeting, make a concerted effort to strengthen and possibly update the Geneva conventions to better reflect the current situation, maybe even conclude new multilateral treaties, which shall be binding to all parties.

Addressing the inhumane treatment of employees in Gulf countries in the so-called Kafala system

The Kafala system is, in its origins, and ancient system for adoption in accordance with the islamic law. Yet, in modern days, the term has been expanded to also include sponsorships and patronages between a citizen (mainly of the Persian Gulf states) and a foreign migrant worker. This partnership is based on the sponsor/patron taking care of the foreign worker´s visa, immigration and legal status within the hosting country. While the worker seemingly benefits from this arrangement, and some indeed may have, there are several major problems with this system. The patrons/sponsors are usually also the workers´ employers and thus they have very little incentive to allow the worker to leave back home. Further, foreign workers have very little rights under the islamic law and thus the conditions they are kept in are usually appalling, since their patrons have no incentive to spend money for the workers´ benefit. Finally, while taking care of their visa and legal status, the patrons or sponsors often take the workers´ passports and do not return them back, thus basically keeping the workers in slavery, as they cannot leave the country, have to work in terrible conditions and have very little rights. Yet, not all is lost, as in some of the guilty states efforts are ongoing to legally improve the workers´ standing and enshrine their rights in law. Yet, such efforts are, for now, sparse and it is necessary to further encourage them by convening the Human Rights Council to address this issue.

Documents

• Study guide

Matrix